For Immediate Release
September 8th, 2016
Mayor Crombie Concludes Historic Federal-Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Ministers’ Meeting
The following is a statement by Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie upon returning from a federal-provincial-territorial (FPT) Ministers’ meeting on infrastructure in Edmonton. Amarjeet Sohi, Canada’s Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, convened the FPT meeting in collaboration with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) to ensure municipal leaders could add their ideas and solutions about where and how federal infrastructure funds are spent.
“This is the first time mayors have been invited to participate in the meeting, making it a historic first and signalling a stronger role for municipalities under the Trudeau Government.
“The Trudeau government’s actions send a strong message that all levels of government understand the important role municipalities have in delivering infrastructure commitments.
“City-building is nation-building.
“Our discussions signal that municipalities must be full partners in shaping national infrastructure policy. With $48 billion on the table in the Federal Government’s Phase 2 of Investing in Canada – national infrastructure plan, it is important that investments are made where they are needed most.
“Along with fellow mayors, I made the case for dedicated and predictable funding for infrastructure. Municipalities need flexibility to invest the funds where they are needed most critically at the local level.
“We call upon on the federal and provincial governments to develop a Canada-wide standard for contributions that take into account the fact that municipalities, like Mississauga, take care of the full operating and lifecycle costs of all infrastructure.
“It’s important that each level of government pay its fair share.
“Investing in infrastructure is critical to the growth of our economy, job creation and quality of life. The Trudeau and Wynne governments have signalled that they understand this through their bold and unprecedented funding commitments to build infrastructure.
“I look forward to continuing to work with both governments to ensure the infrastructure investments are made in our community where they are needed the most.
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